Sophomore Inquiry

See the University Studies Program website (www.pdx.edu/university-studies/sinq-junior-clusters) or online schedule of courses for course descriptions.

At the sophomore level, students complete 8 credits of coursework in Sophomore Inquiry. Students select two Sophomore Inquiry classes. Sophomore Inquiry classes are structured similarly to those in Freshman Inquiry with a main class and smaller mentor inquiry workshops, except at this level the mentor classes are led by graduate students. Mentor inquiry workshops focus on weekly learning modules on study skills, writing, technology training, group dynamics, speech and oral communication.

Sophomore Inquiry classes maintain an interdisciplinary approach to their individual topics, and continue to emphasize the four University Studies goals of Inquiry and Critical thinking, Communication, Diversity Equity, and Social Justice, and Ethics Agency and Community. Each Sophomore Inquiry class also provides an introduction to important concepts, questions, and concerns that will be explored in greater depth in the upper-division cluster courses to which it is linked.

Prior to Fall 2022, The Sophomore Inquiry requirement was 12 credits and was directly linked to the Upper-Division Cluster Theme. The 8-credit requirement only applies to students starting at PSU after Summer 2022.